harry's blog

Admittedly I am not the most adventurous person but I’m about to make my first leap into exploring further than I ever have before and trying lots of new things too. This weekend I’m heading off on an exciting new adventure, which is going to so much fun.

The adventure begins Saturday morning when I take to the skies on my first ever flight… I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous but I’m also very exciting knowing what awaits me.

I am absolutely thrilled to officially announce that I will be displaying some of my artwork at the Cruise Show in Birmingham at the NEC on 16 & 17 September 2017. What’s more, I’ll also be drawing live at the Cruise Show too!

This year, the Cruise Show is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary so there’s never been a better time to visit Europe’s largest cruise show and I’m so excited to have the opportunity to work with the amazing team.

2017 has been a very busy year for me, full of so many wonderful moments. I’m doing my best to catch up with them all, so please bear with me!

One of the most memorable moments this year so far, was having the opportunity to spend a night on board the awe-inspiring new MSC Merviglia in Le Harve, France, just one day before the brand new cruise ship was officially christened.

I had the great pleasure of joining a group of selected guests on board the Aegean Odyssey during a turnaround call at London International Cruise Terminal on 08 August 2017.

Whilst on board, before touring the charming little ship, I was given the opportunity to meet with the Captain in the Observation Lounge and had a moment to present my drawing of the ship to him, which I had produced a month or so beforehand.

I’m so excited to be given the opportunity to join a small group of selected guests to step on board the classic little gem of a cruise ship, Aegean Odyssey, which is operated by Voyages to Antiquity.

Carrying around 350 passengers she’s a much smaller ship than many of the newer more modern cruise ships built today but from what I’ve already know of the ship she’s still just as special if not even more so!

For ages now I’ve wanted to cruise with Celebrity Cruises. I finally just had to give in and book a cruise with the fantastic five star luxury cruise line.

I’m so excited to be booked on a two-night mini weekend getaway cruise on the Celebrity Silhouette, sailing from Southampton on 28 April 2018. The cruise will visit Le Harve in France but between you and me, Gavin and I probably won’t be getting off the ship!

Our next cruise is fast approaching and it’s extra exciting as we’re cruising on a ship I’ve wanted to experience for so long!

We’re thrilled to be spending five nights on board Royal Caribbean International’s amazing Independence of the Seas. The cruise departs Southampton on 24 October 2017 and visits Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Cherbourg and Le Havre. I’ve been to all the ports before but Gavin, who will be joining me, hasn’t ever been to Cherbourg.

We couldn’t resist this one! When we thought we had already booked the shortest (by distance) cruise possible, this one then came up and we just had to go for it!

Earlier this year we booked an overnight cruise on Marco Polo. The cruise departs Harwich and sails to Tilbury, which is literally just down the coast. But then a little while later Cruise & Maritime Voyages announced some additional cruises on Astoria for 2018, one of which was an overnight cruise.

Finally, after having thought about it for a few years now, we’ve gone ahead and booked a cruise to Norway. Gavin and I have wanted to cruise to Norway for a while but we wanted to make sure we got it right, booking the right ship at the right price.

We’ve booked a seven-night cruise to the Norwegian Fjords on board Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Columbus. In fact we actually booked the cruise whilst on board the first cruise on the new flagship.

The bank holiday weekend is here, which means my next ship visit is just around the corner! I’m very excited to be stepping aboard Costa Mediterranea at Harwich International Port on 29 May 2017.

Gavin will also be joining me on board for the visit, as well as a friend of ours, who has never stepped aboard a cruise ship before! I’m sure he will be impressed by the ship. Gavin and I have been aboard many cruise ships but we’ve not been on board Costa Mediterranea before.